SEIU 415 emergency strike solidarity alert - action requested

Background: Any day now, 1,800 Santa Cruz county workers will launch a one-day strike against a Board of Supervisors that so far refuses to provide wages comparable to that of comparable workers in comparable counties. Their struggle is the same struggle facing all working families in our communities--farm and food processing workers fighting for decent pay and basic human rights, UC workers fighting for pay parity, Ralph's employees fighting the company's scheme to de-unionize their workplace, Natividad workers fighting the "privatization of that county hospital, hotel workers rising up to fight for a living wage--and this strike will be an opportunity for us to express and build our solidarity across the Central Coast.

How can the labor movement support this strike?

First, we will support union efforts to reach the hearts and conscience of county supervisors. Recipients of this message are asked to call the board of supervisors at 454-2200 and tell them to support working families... and to send email messages of support to members of the board of supervisors at the email addresses below. (See also "Why We Are On Strike Today" below for ideas to include in your message.) Also, in partnership with Local 415, MBCLC Political Director Daniel Dodge is recruiting volunteers to participate in degegations to meet with members of the board of supervisors in the next few days. Contact him to volunteer at ddodge [at] mbclc.org.

Second, we will mobilize on the day of the strike itself to provide logistical support and turn out to picket sites across the county. Volunteers will be needed for field action starting at 7 AM, for picket duty during thje day (even short periods of picketing will be helpful) and to turn out to a 3:30 rally and collective action on the day of the strike. Volunteers should contact MBCLC president Robert Chacanaca (hongqi [at] hotmail.com)or Santa Cruz County Vice President Julian Posadas(posadas3299 [at] yahoo.com).

Finally, Santa Cruz county workers face a special challenge because the county has obtained a court order enjoining over 200 county workers from exercising their right to strike and enjoining their union from supporting them if they do, covering not only these negotiations but also those 2 or 3 years from now when this contract expires. Though the county claims these are "essential workers", in fact many work in non-critical jobs which present no threat to the public health or safety if workers strike. Local 415 informs us they are committed to ensuring the continuity of critical services while defending their members basic rights... but are limited by court order from being able to support non-critical workers falsely labeled "essential employees" should they choose to participate in strike action. Accordingly, the MBCLC Solidarity Committee will offer encouragement, support, legal and financial assistance to non-critical workers who choose to engage in civil disobedience to protect their right to strike. Volunteers interested in support for civil disobedience may contact us at laborcouncil [at] mbclc.org.

Board of Supes email addresses:

Mark.Stone [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us Chair of the Board Jan.Beautz [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us Ellen.Pirie [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us Mardi.Wormhoudt [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us Tony.Campos [at] co.santa-cruz.ca.us

More background: this is a draft flyer for use on Strike Day:

Why We Are On Strike Today:

We are the 1800 Santa Cruz county workers who provide for the health, safety and quality of life for county residents. We are public health nurses, road maintenance workers, social workers, computer operators, secretaries, child support workers, lifeguards and much more. The last thing we want is to be out here today instead of serving you. But we believe we have been forced to make this choice.

We have been without a contract for six months. In September of 2002, we were forced by the county leadership to strike for three days. Our wages and benefits had fallen so far behind the 8 bay area counties- that we couldn?t recruit and retain the best workforce to provide the services you deserve. We achieved parity- for a brief moment.

Last summer, we took a 4% pay cut. Next, we were forced to pay higher healthcare costs. Now, the county insists we delay our annual cost of living raises this year and next year for six months- losing half the value of the raise. The cost of living in Santa Cruz is rising for all of us. Could you afford to live on less pay than you made last year? How can the County ask us to do so?

Here are some important facts you should know about this struggle:

ÿ In the areas of healthcare and retirement, Santa Cruz County workers rate dead last compared to Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Napa and Monterey Counties. In wages, we are struggling to stay in the middle and losing ground every day.

ÿ The Board of Supervisors is much more generous with themselves, ranking third in compensation. Nor do they expect their highest paid managers to pay for their retirement or healthcare at the level they expect of the lowest paid workers.

Working families in Santa Cruz County are struggling to survive in this high cost area. Our campaign is to maintain the standards for all working people that will allow them to live with dignity in the community.

Please support us by calling the Board of Supervisors at 454-2200 and telling them to support working families. It is only fair for Santa Cruz County to pay its employees the same as the other comparable counties (especially the board has already agreed that these counties average should be their standard for pay, and especially since Santa Cruz County already provides worse healthcare and retirement benefits than these other counties.). And it is just plain WRONG to deprive non-critical public workers of their right to strike.